By Josh Perry, Editor [email protected]
Rivian, an electric vehicle startup created by engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have revealed its first Electric Adventure Vehicles, an all-electric pickup truck and SUV, during the L.A. Auto Show.
Rivian has revealed the world’s first all-electric truck and SUV. (Rivian)
The R1T is a five-passenger pickup truck and the R1S SUV feature Rivian’s innovative skateboard platform, which puts the battery pack, drive units, suspension, braking, and thermal management systems below the height of the wheel.
“Beyond the packaging benefits, this architecture delivers a low center of gravity that supports the vehicle's agility and stability,” the announcement explained. “Adding to these inertial advantages is a sophisticated suspension architecture with unequal length double wishbone suspension in the front and a multi-link suspension in the rear. The suspension features dynamic roll control and adaptive dampers along with ride-height adjustable air-suspension – allowing the suspension to be adjusted for any condition whether its highway comfort, on-road performance or off-road capability.”
The engine is designed to be more powerful than most all-electric vehicles. Rivian claims the quad-motor system can deliver 147 kW and precision torque control to each wheel. Both vehicles, according to the company, can reach 60 mph in just three second and 100 mph in just seven seconds. The R1T also has a tow rating of 11,000 pounds.
Battery design is also important, as both vehicles are built for off-road use and heavy loads. The battery has a tough underbelly protection and an advanced cooling system that allows the vehicles to work in any environment.
According to the announcement, “Adaptive control algorithms learn driver behavior, optimizing user-specific battery management for maximizing battery life, reliability and second-life reusability. Three battery sizes are planned with the 180 kWh and 135 kWh available at launch and a 105 kWh being made available within six months of launch.”
It is also designed for fast charging with rates up to 160 kW for 200 miles of range added in 30 minutes and there is an 11 kW onboard charger.
“The R1T will launch with a robust hardware suite with multiple modalities including camera, lidar, radar, ultrasonic and a high precision GPS coupled with high definition maps,” the announcement continued. “This hardware enables ‘Level 3’ (hands-off wheel and eyes off road) autonomy for highway operation. Beyond the highway Level 3, the vehicle will have a range of self-driving features focused on enabling active lifestyles.”
Learn more about the startup in this feature from ECN: https://www.ecnmag.com/news/2018/11/startup-founded-mit-alumnus-unveils-electric-vehicles-future.
Also, watch the reveal of the R1S in the video below:
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